Mounting for glass panels



Patented Mar. 18, 1952 UNITED 2589517; MOUNTING Fon GLASS PANELS Otto' E. Stelzer, Ge

rman Township,

St. Joseph County, Incl. Application March 22, 1950, Serial No. 151420 i 2 caims." (c. 189-720 This invention relates to improvements in" mountings for glass panels, and more particularly.

to a member by means of which a structural glass panel used to form a partition or a window may be mounted and supported.

The primary object of the invention' is to pro- Vide a novel, simple and inexpensive construction for mounting a glass panel, which can be readily assembled with minimum requirement for the use of tools and which serves to support the glass panel firmly ye't yieldingly, so that danger of breakage of the glass during installation, or when subjected to impact after installation, is minimized.

A further object is to provide a mounting of this character wherein the use of screws, clamps' and similar securing members is reduced to a minimum and whose constituent parts so inter- Referring to the drawing, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof which`illustrate one embodiment of the invention, the numeral Io desiglock or latch when applied together that they" effect a self-latching action.

A further object is to provide a mounting mem`- ber formed of a plurality of parts adapted to interlock and some of which are provided with c'ompressible or yielding glass-engaging parts, which unit is so constructed that the assembly of the parts is effected by a swinging or tilting motion of the parts hearing' the compressible material toward the glass so that frictional rubbing of the compressible material upon the glass occurs only during a slight terminal portion of the movement of the parts to efiect an interlock, thereby simplifying the assembly of the parts, reducing r'esistance to disassembly, and avoiding' damage to or displacement of the com pressible material incident to assembly.

Other objects will be apparent from the followin'g specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a Vertical sectional View taken online l-l of Fig. 2 and illustrating a construction wherein the unit is adapted to mount a corrugated structural glass panel.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with parts broken away.

'Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the construction adapted for mounting flat structural glass panel, such as a double paned structural unit, wherein the margins of the glass panels are continuously joined by an hermetical scaling member holding the panels spaced apart;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a strip of rubber used-in a modified embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1,

illustrating the use of 'the rubber strip shown in p Fig. 4.

nates the structural member' to which the glass mounting unit is to be secured, that structural member constituting a floor'me'mber, a ceiling member or any structural member, such as a member outlining an opening in the wall of a building which is to be spanned bya glass panel, such as a window, and particularly a display window for a store front. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs: land 2 which is intended primarily for mounting a corrugated structural glass panel z, the panels are usua1-' ly applied in-place with the corrugations the'reof extending vertically. The provision of means to' mount and seal such panels at their vertical edges, which are straight, is comparatively simple'and easily accomplished. The mounting of theother edges, normally positioned horizontally 'as explained above, necessitates accommodati'on for the sinuous shape of the glass corrugations. The construction shown in Fig. 1 is particularly suited for such purpose The mounting member includes a backing member which is adapted to be' secured fixedly to the support ID. This member is generally in the nature of a channelformed of metal and having a base panel [4 whose bottom surface is adapted to bear in fiat face engagement with the support o and which is provided at its center along its length with' a plurality of apertures IS'. The channel includes side walls l8 of rigid character extending full length ther'eof and preferably tapered or inclinedinwardly and upwardly at their upper edges 'at 20. 'The side walls 18 of the channel preferably are parallel to eaching corrugations thereof. stated differently, the

corfugated glass being of sinuous or wavy form, as best seen'inFig. 2, has 'alternate oppositely facing convex surface portions and the dimension A is the greatest dimension of lateral displacement between the oppositely facing alt'er` nate'convex surfaces.

, Li The' upper surface of the base panel M of the stantially equal to the space between opposed shoulders 22 in the bottom wall l4 of the channel. The height or depth of the bar 24 is preffit snugly within the groove, that is, a width subnel [4, l 8.

preferably be such that said wall 34 in the operative position of the parts shown in Fig. 1 extends only slightly below the level of the lowermost part of the beveled top face of the fiange I 8, the dimension preferably being less than onefourth of an inch. The inwardly facing or confronting surfaces of the parts 32 and 34 are preferably spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the 'spacing between the plane of the inner surface of the wall !8 and the apex or ridge of the rib defined by the surface 28, of the chan- At the inner surface of its free or marginalportion, the wall 32 has a bead, rib or thickened portion 40. The width of this bead 4!) erably substantially equal to the height of 'the upper edges of the walls !8. The bars 24 are provided with spaced apertures registering --and aligned with the apertures !6 in the base wall !4, which apertures .are preferably countersunk I at their, upper ends and which receive the 'screws or other securing members 26 by means of which the channel is secured fixedly to the supporting surface ID. The spaces between the bar 24 and the channel parts !8 constitute lon itudinal grooves f of which the parts !8 c'onstitute 'the outer side walls.

' The channel !4, l8 is pr'efera'bly formed 'of metal, such as an aluminum alloy, which metal preferablv will be non-Corrosive and light in weight. The formation of the channel from such metal is not critical, however, as it 'may be formed' from any other material possessing substantial structural strength. Thus it may be formed from plastic material, Wood or the like. The channelis further characterized by the formation 'continuously along the len th thereof at the outer surfaces of the side walls I8 of enlargements, beads or ridges. These ribs are preferably defined by an *inclined upoer surface 28 and an inclined lower surface 30, angularly related one to the other, with the apex thereof spaced substantially from the outer surface of the wall I 8 and of uniform' cross-sectional dimension throu hout its len th. As illustrated. the -surfaces 28 and 30 are positioned substantially at right angles to 'each' other'and inclined relative to the vertical, and the rib defined therebetween is uniform in shane and dimension throughout its entire length.

Apair of retainer members cooperate with and are supported by the 'channel member !4, 8 to bear 'against the onposite surfaces 'of the glass i panel 12. 'As illustrated herein these members are substantiallv of the 'same Construction. Ea h defines'an inverted rigid channel and an inwardly pro'ecting flan epand constitutes a ri zd and unitar'y member 'preferably formed of metal 31-, thou h itmav be formed of anv other ri id material of recuired strength. Each c annel includes an outer wall 32, an inner wall 34.- a top panel orcross-wall 36 and a 'fi nge 38 formimi substant'allv a continuation of the cross-wall 35 and projecting inwardly with reference to' the inner wall 34. The outer .wall 32 is of a height substantially greater than the height of the channel wall !8, so that when its *inner -or loweredge bears against the support s, as illustrated, with the wall 32 substantially parallel to the Wall 8. .the cross-wall 36 will be positioned in outwardly spaced relation to the outer edge of the channel wall !8 as shown. The inner wall 34 will be of substantia lly shorter length, `and that-length will said channel.

is preferably substantially equal to the spacing -of the apex of the rib defined by the surfaces 28,

30 of. the channel from the bottom surface |4 of As illustrated, the bead or rib may 'be of transversely curved contour or it may be of any other shape desired, and it usually extends `full length of the retainer. u

'The flange `or cross-wall 'part 38 has 'its inner edge. 42 sha'ped in scalloped, wavy or undulated form; asbest seen in Fig. 2, which shane substantially corresponds to .the 'shane of the adjacent surface of the glass |2 but which is spaced slightly from said glass in the operative arrangement of the parts, as illustrated in Figs. l and 2 so that there is no contact of said fiange 38 with the glass panel !2. u

A filler 44, preferably forme'd of sponge or foam rubber, a soft solid natural rubber, a synthetic rubber or any other yielding material, such as a felt pad or body or a solid material having a surface coating of rubber or other compressible materialor a body of calkin'g material, is carried by each of the retainers With one surface 'thereof hearing against the wall 34, and another surface thereof hearing against the inner surface of the fiange 38. I prefer to use a highly compressible and resilient material, such as sponge or foam rubber, -for this' purpose in the member 44. The member 24 is of such thickness that, when the parts are `in operative relation, the bottom surface thereof will bear against the bar 24, 'the normal thickness of said member 44 being preferably slightly greater than thespacing between the fiange 38 and the confronting surface of the bar 24 in thearrangement of the parts which is illustrated in Fig. 1, so that said member 44 will be slightly compressed when in the position illustrated in Fig. 1. The inner edge of the member 'lis contoured to corrugated, undulating or wavelike form, 'projecting -inwardly beyond the edge 42 of the flange and -adapted for full face engagement with the panel throughout its length and throughout the corrugations thereof, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The parts are so arranged and constructed, and the thickness of the members 44 carried by the op posite retainers is such, that .there will probably be a slight inward compression laterally of the members i i whenthe retainers are 'anchored in place, thus providing a firm frictional grip of the glass'panel 12 between the pads or pressure strips 44. 'The compressible' strip 44 extends continuously for the-.full 'length of the 'etainer and of theglas's 'strip engaged thereb-y, and is' confined 'in the 'caVit-y defined by parts 2:2, .t and !2 'at each side of panel !2.`

'In the' use of the device, the Channels M, i& for *moun'ting opposed margins of the glass, 'for exampie; the' uri-per and *lower 'margins are Secured place in proper position by means of the securing members or screws 26. As here illustrated, the heads of thesescrews o'r securing members should preferably be-countersunk below or inwardly or clear of the face of the bar 24. The panel `l2 is then applied to place between the opposed bars 24 for which purpose said glass panel is made of a size to pass into 'or between the channel walls 18 in the event said walls are of greater height or thickness than the bars 24. The glass panel will bear upon the lowermost bar 24, although it will be understood that a sheet of protective material, such as cloth, felt, sheet rubber, or'the like, may be applied to cover the exposed surface of the bar 24, particularly the lowermost bar, in a manner comparable to that illustrated in Fig. 3. The glass panel is held in proper position, and one of the retainers at one side of the channel is applied in place, being held by the insertion of the free margin of the wall 34 between the channel wall !8 and the block or bar 24 and further being held in that position by the engagement of the head 40 With the surface 30 of the base channel. The arrangement of the parts is such that they will hold themselves together but a combined sliding and tilting movement fulcrumed at the point of engagement of the inner margin of the member 44 with the bar 24 will easily disengage or release-the parts. Inother words, the parts are so constructed that when the main channel is held inverted and one of the retainers is anchored thereto, the retainer will hold 'itself in place but permit, by slight manual manipulation, the quick and easy release of the parts. It will be understood, of course, that when the first retainer has been anchored to the channel, the glass panel will be adjusted as toits position to bear against the scalloped or inner edge of the cushion member' 44.

'I'hereupon, the other retainer member is applied to place. The parts are so constructed that, in the application of the second retainer, the bottom or inner edge of the flange or wall 34 will bear against the tapered edge 20 of the channel wall !8, and the bottom of the bead 40 will bear against the surface 28 of the projection of the rib of the body channel when the rubber or resilient member 44 first bears against the glass, the parts assuming positions wherein the walls 32 and 34 of the retainer will be tilted upwardly and outwardly relative' tothe adjacent channel wall 18. The positioning of the parts in this manner is accomplished easily and quickly. The'reupon, pressure is applied in a downward direction against the top of the retainer; that is, pressure is applied downwardly against the parts 35 and 38, and this downward pressure acts tocause the movement ofthe retainer to the same interlocked position that is occupied by its companion. This movement toward locked position has Components of movement both toward the glass and downwardly and is somewhat of a rocking or inwardly tilting movement. The movement is fulcrumed by the engagement of the wall 34 With the channel wall l8 and is guided by the engagement of the bead 40 with the surface 30 of the bead of the main or body channel. 'When the parts are so arranged, a firm frictional grip is exerted upontheiopposite faces of the glass by the rubber pads, and-this firm frictional grip, coupled with the intertting engagem ent of the parts, that is, the inter engagement of parts I8 and 34 and the snap lock of interlocking rib parts 30 and 40, servesto lock both retainers automatically against accidental separation. In other Words, after this interlock` has been efiected, the mounting cannot be dis assembled except by the exercise of substantial force and eifort, for example, by prying upon the bottom edge of one of the retainer 'walls ,32 to pry'. it away from the support !0. It will be ob'- served, of course, that the parts are so constructedfthat the edge of the retainer wall 32 will sub stantially bear against the support o when the parts' are in proper position, there being avoided any noticeable clearance at this point in order' to reduce the likeliho'od of accidental disengagement of the parts through a 'prying action i ::The channel and retainer parts are all -formed of 'substantially rigid construction. Thus, when frmed of aluminum alloy, the thickness of the parts !4, lB, 32, 34 and 36 will all be in the order of approximately 'one-eighth' of an inch. This thicknessinsures sufficientstrength and rigidity', and yet at the same time, a slight amount of re-` silience'so as to permit'the snap action of the parts to their interlocked position. The dimensions cited are, of course, illustrative and are not intended to be limiting, as they may vary with the usage intended and with other factors, such as the nature of the material of which they are formed. It will be observed that this rigidity, coupled with the continuous extension of the retainer members the f'ulllength of the glass, make each of the retainer members a long unit and further serve'to resist separation of the parts. Thus, when it is attempted to pry at any one point, the rigidity of the entire retainer and its continuou's embracing of rigid anchor portion |8, 28, 30 of the hacking member, and its interlock along its length at the rib parts 30, 40 immediately adja cent .to the point at which the prying operation occurs are such that the retainer is held against fiexing so that in units of any substantial length it ;is usually necessary to pry upon the'same' at several points in order to disengage the parts.

It will be apparent' that the onstruction pro'- vides a built-up channel assembly of ;such character that there is not applied to the glass panel' at any time any forcewhich is detrimental to the glass. The avoidance of direct contact of the metal with the glass insures against direct im-' pacts; consequently, any pressure which is ap plied against the glass is taken up in part, or at least to some measure, by the compressible member 44 This, in addition to protecting the panel against impact, insures against any application ,of torque in an amount which would excessively stress the glass panel or subject it to the possibility of breakage incident to' vibration, to contact, or to like impact. i

Any suitable means may be employed to anchor the Vertical margins of a glass'p'anel, if desired; such means `may take conventional forms 'of channel structures 'or store front glass mounts.

In cases where interier usage occurs, it may be' unnecessary to bind or confine the vertical edges 'of the glass panels. Itis' also possible, where dsired, to use at said vertical edges the same con- 'struction herein specified, in which event the fianges 38 and the resilient or compressible strips 44 will be formed with fiat inner surfaces. 5 The device is particularly Well suited for the mounting of double paned glass units of the type now commonly sold upon the market for store windows or the like, 'and which have, as'illusv trated in 3, two spaced panels 50 arranged in ous constructions of such material are now common on the market. In some instances the spacer strips 52' extend-ing along the margins are cemented or 'bonded to the' inner surfaces of the glass' panels, and suchbond serves as' the sole' means' for anchor'ng the panels 50 together. Another construction which is 'now commercially available utilizes a metal channel 54 extending around and receiving the marginal portions of the' assembled panels, which `channels may' be provided with a liner 56 interposed between the same and the surfaces of th'e glass. such double' glazed units are very fragile anfd their eficacy depends upon continued maintenance of the seal for the air space between the panels. consequently, such units cannot be subjected` to any torque in mountin'g, and it has been very difiicult and timeconsuming and expensive to mount them in store windows and other installations for which they are intended.

- My improved' mounting serves this purpose very effectively,- as illustrated in Fig. 3. The parts of Fig. 3 bear the same reference numerals as similar parts in Figs. 1 and-z where such parts are similar.` There is illustrated in Fig. 3 a sheet 58 which 'may be formed of rubber, sponge rubber; or other compressible or yielding material, such as felt or fabric, which member 58 covers the surface of the bar 2 4, so that the edge of the double paned glass had contact with a yielding'material. It will be understood, however, that the use of such a pad,'while preferred, is not essential, its benefit residing in a slight reduction in the amount of care which must be utilized-in handling the glas's panel. The inner edge 38' of the flange '38 of 'each retaier is straight, as seen, and inxthe assembly of the parts is spaced outwardly fromthe double paned glassunit, 'It is preferred in this Construction to use: a -non-hardening, waterproof calking material' 44` as the filler material which is pressed by the` retainers'into engagement with the opposite faces of the glass' panel, particularly 'at that side of the glass panel which is to be exposed to the weather in use'. Usually'the glass will be mounted completely in 'such calking material, although it will be understood that calking material may be used at one surface of the glass, and a yielding material, such as rubber or a sponge rubber, may be used at the other surface, or any other combination found suitable may be utilized.

The assembly of the parts occurs in the same manner above described, it being apparent, however, that where calking material is utilized, the operation effecting the i'nterlocl of the parts will be such that, in order to insure a full filling of the receiving cavity by the calking material,

' some excess of said material may be provided which will be extruded through the space between the` inner edge 38' of the flange 38 and the adjacent outer surface of the glass panel unit during V assembly of the parts. This extruded flash material will, of course, be trimmed or removed, if desired.

Because of its use for store front purposes in the exterior of a, building, it maybe desired to Supplement the self-looking character of the device by'a ,positive mechanical lock; and such an arrangement is possible,-as is illustrated in Fig.

3, by providing one or more of the walls !8 with openings .60 and by providing ali'gned and preferablycountersunk openings, 62:2in the outer wall32.,`whichvopenings 80 and 62 are'adapted to receive ascrew, bolt or-other, securing member 64, here illustrated as a wood screw extending cl ar fthe ed .o th %1 {of e; i e v 81 and entering into, and inter-looking or anchor-. ing in the, bar 24.

This Construction possesses all of the. advantages mentioned above, is assembled in the same way, and fully satisfies the requirements of mounts for glass panels spanning openings in the outer wall of a building. It may be men-` tioned further that, while the Construction of Fig. 3 has beenreferred to herein in connection with its application for mounting a double paned glass panel, it is equally effective for use in mount ing single thickness glass plates or panels.

v -In some instances it may be desired to provide against the possibility of the collection of moisture interiorly of the retainer and at the same time to retain the advantages of sponge rubber which is characteristically porous, and hence subject to the absorption of moisture if exposed thereto. A construction which will serve these purposes is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. The construction entails the cementingor anchoring to the compressible or sponge'strip 44 of a soft solid rubber strip. This strip preferably willbe substantially fiat and of uniform thickness for the major portion 10 of its width and through a width substantially equal to the depth of strip 44 o'r at least that part of the strip 44 which it engages. In its normal shape, the strip 'lfl is provided at one face thereof with a longitudinally extending bend 12 which separates a substantially fiat surface 'portion 14 from the surface of the part 70, said surface portion 14 preferably being disposed at an angle to the surfaces of the body portion 10, as illustrated. The body .is thickened or outwardly bulged at 16 adjacent to the bend 72 at the side. thereof opposite said bend, and from this bulge or bend is tapered along the face 18 to substantially a feather edge junction with the surface 14. The use of this construction'is illustrated in Fig. 5, wherein it will be apparent that as the mounting for the glass panel is assembled, the strip 'Io-'18 will be deflected from its normal position shown in Fig. 4 when it contacts the glass so as to insure a continuous face engagement of the surface 14 with the glass. The outward'defiection or bending of this contoured part 14, 16, 18 of the stripcauses the shoulder portion 15 to overlie part of the top surfaceof the rubber strip 44 adjacent thereto, and the portion 76 is preferably of such a thickness that it engages continuously the inner edge' 42 of `the flange 38, as illustrated in Fig. 5. The surfaces 18 tapering upwardly and inwardly from said shoulder provides a bevel as seen in Fig. 5. consequently, for external construction it will be apparent that the flexing of the strip from its Fig. 4 position to the Fig. 5 position incident to assembly of the glass mounting will insure a continuous and slightly stressed contact of. the upper portion dened by parts 14, 16, 18 so that moisture is prevented from passing between the strip and the glass pane. The moisture, instead, passes down the beveled edge 18 and onto the top of the flange 38 and 36 which, in this instance, may be somewhat inelined outwardly and downwardly from the position shown so as to provide the necessary drainage of water therefrom. This Construction insures a complete water-fight joint, avoiding danger of -destruc.-

of a rubber of approximately 30 durometers in hardness, although this measurement is cited as illustrative and it will be understood that rubber, either slightly harder or slightly softer, may be employed.

While the Construction herein described has been referred to throughout as utilizing two retainer members having a snap lock or selflocking action upon a hacking member, it will be understood that the use of two separable retainers is not necessary, particularly in cases where a flat glass panel or unit is to be mounted. Thus, for instance, the mounting unit at one side may have the wall 32 and the flanges 36 and 38 and associated parts formed integrally with the base panel [4 and providing therein, in association with the block 24 and a fiange similar to the fiange 34, a socket for receiving a resilient member or calking material. Only one separa'ble retainer is necessary in such a construction, it being apparcnt that the same self-locking action will occur with such a two-part Construction as has been described above with reference to the three-part Construction. Thus, for instance, assuming that the two piece unit has the wall 32 integral with the base !4 positcned outermost in a store front assembly, and has its socket filled With a calking material, the glass is positioned to abut the calking material and the retainer at the inner face of the glass is snapped into place. The assembly at each margin of the glass is locked in the same manner and there is no possibility of access to the separable retainers from the exterior of the building.

While the p-referred embodiments of the invent-on have been illustrated and described herein, it will be understand that changes in the construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A panel mount comprising an elongated, substantially rigid backing member adapted to be secured to a support and having a pair of spaced longitudinal grooves defined in part by outer side walls, a pair of elongated retainers each having a pair of spaced inner and outer walls and a crosswall portion connectng said spaced walls and projecting laterally beyond said inner wall, said inner Wall fitting in a groove of said 'hacking member, said outer retainer wall and side backing wall each having a lcngitudinal interlock rib, the ri'b of said retainer being snapped over the rib of said hacking member When said inner retainer wall is inserted in a groove of said backing member, said hacking member and the inner and cross-walls of each retainer cooperating with a panel pcsiticned between said retainers to define a pair of longitudinal cavities, and a filler in each cavity.

2. In combination, a panel, a rigid hacking member adapted to be Secured to a support, a pair of spaced retainer portions carried 'by said hacking member and receiving a marginal portion of said panel therebetween, yielding fillers confined by said backing and retainer portions and engaging opposite faces of the marginal panel portion, at least one of said retainer portions being rigid and separable from said 'hacking member, cooperating slidably engaging guide parts on said hacking member and separa'ble retainer portion, and cooperating interengaging snap lock parts carried by said hacking member and separable retainer portion spaced from said guide parts, said filler maintaining said snap lock parts in locking engagement.

OTTO E. STELZER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references areof record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date r &39,228 Roe Dec. 17, 1901 1,000,094 Klenm Aug. 8, 1911 1,793,503 Michaels Feb. 24, 1931 2,099,751 Plym Nov. 23, 1937 2,220,569 Himmel et al Nov. 5, 1940 2342352 Lowry Feb. 22, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 18,577 Australia Feb. 25, 1929 47,461 Netherlands Dec. 15, 1939 

